The temple has nine gateways and four of them have towering gopurams each with 7 levels in the East, South, West and North. The eastern gopuram has all the 108 postures (karnams) of the Indian dance form of Bharathanatyam sculpted on it.

Chidambara Ragasiyam/Rahasyam (Tamil for “secret of Chidambaram”):-

Since ancient times, it is believed that Chidambaram is the place where Lord Shiva and Parvathy are present, but are invisible to the naked eyes of normal people. In the Chidambaram temple of Lord Nataraja, Chidambara Ragasiyam is hidden by a curtain (Maya).

Darshan of Chidambara Ragasiyam is possible only when priests open the curtain (or Maya) for special Pooja. People can merely see golden vilva leaves (Aegle Marmelos) signifying the presence of Lord Shiva and Parvathi in front of them when the curtai is opened. It is also believed that devout saints can only see the Gods in their physical form.

The phrase “Chidambara Ragasiyam” really means something different. The phrase literally means a secret associated to Chidambaram – the place. Behind this is a real meaning to a secret. As described above there is a particular curtain kind of curtain which when removed enables us viewing the secret. The real significance of doing so is that, when the curtain which is “maya” is removed one can see his real self.

And the seeing of oneself removing the curtain of maya is viewing the secret. According to legend, “Chidambara Ragasiyam” will never be revealed as it is the secret relating to a particular person who sees it removing the screen of “maya”. In the temple, when the Pooja are performed and the screen is removed, one will be able to see the secret only when he applies this to his mind and soul.

Five sabhas or halls Chidambaram Natarajar Temple:-

Chit Sabah is the sanctum sanctorum housing Lord Nataraja and Goddess Shivagamasundari. The idol of Nataraja is enshrined in the Chit Sabah. Behind this idol, is a screen, which is covering the Akasha Lingam (meaning Space Lingam). It is an invisible Lingam, with golden vilva garlands, i.e. stressing the belief that there is everything in nothing.

There are five silver plated steps to reach the Chit Sabah, representing the ‘Panchakshara mantram – Na ma si va ya’. The embossed images of the saints Vyagrapada and Patanjali, are to be seen on the doors. Both these saints had been blessed with the sight of the cosmic dance of Shiva.

Lord Vishnu also is said to have witnessed this scene. The images of Ratnasabhapati (Nataraja of Ruby), the Spatika Lingam of Chandramauleeswara, Swarnakarshana Bhairavar, Mukhalingam are also to be found in the Chitsabhai.

Kanaka sabhai is in front of the Chitsabhai, from which the daily rituals are conducted.

Nrithya sabhai or Natya sabhai is in the south of the temple’s flag mast (or kodi maram) where the Lord is said to have danced with Goddess Kali.

Raja sabhai is the 1000-pillared hall.

Deva sabhai is the one which houses the Pancha moorthis (pancha – five, moorthis – deities, namely the deities of Lord Ganesh, Lord Somaskanda,, the Goddess Sivananda nayaki, the Lord Muruga and the deity of Chandikeswarar).

Holy Theerthams in the Chidambaram Natarajar Temple:-

· The large temple tank called the Sivaganga is in the third prakaram of the temple opposite to the temple for Goddess Sivagami.

· The Paramanandha koobham is the well on the eastern side of the Chitsabhai from which water is drawn for performing pooja in the temple.

· The Vyagrapatha theertham is situated on to the west of the Chidambaram temple opposite the temple of Lord Ilamai akkinaar.

· The Anantha theertham is to the west of Chidambaram temple in front of the Anantheswarar temple.

· The Nagaseri is the tank to the west of the Anantha theertham.

Lord Govindarajar temple:-

The Chidambaram Natarajar temple complex houses a temple for the Lord Govindaraja Perumal and Goddess Pundareegavalli Thaayar. This shrine is called the Thillai Thiruchitrakootam and is one of the 108 divya desams or the Important temples of Lord Vishnu, which have been sanctified (mangala saasanam) by verses (named as Naalayira divya prabantham) sung by the chief devotees of Lord Vishnu (called the Aalwars).